Southwest Ridge park plan awaiting community input

Clark County is in the process of gauging southwest valley residents' openness to the construction of a new park west of South Fort Apache Road.

The county held its second open house July 25 at the Desert Breeze Community Center, 8275 W. Spring Mountain Road, to hear input from the community on the proposed project.

The site consists of three county-owned properties totaling 1,200 acres and boasts impressive views of the valley at an elevation of 3,400 feet, comparable to Lone Mountain.

"This plan is absolutely extraordinary," said County Commissioner Susan Brager, who was on hand for the open house meeting. "I'm just over-the-top excited about it."

The project is working its way through the approval process. Passed up for funding through the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act last year, Brager said she is optimistic the project will receive official approval in the fall.

If approved, the first phase of construction would be to build hiking trials of varying intensity levels throughout the area, including along the Gypsum Ridge. Future plans for the site also include cycling trails, standard park fare such as playground equipment and educational hubs. The county's comprehensive planning department has even considered a zip line, equestrian center and an amphitheater as possibilities.

"Hopefully, we will continue to add on to the project yearly," Brager said of the ambitious plan. "Private and public partnerships would help to get things done quicker."

The southern portion of the site was once a gypsum mine, with rail tracks along the ridge to haul gypsum and supplies. The mine is no longer in operation, and the rail tracks were removed, but its remnants could be a hazard for hikers.

Justin Williams, a county parks planner, said the mine's remains have been a concern of the county.

"There are entrances to the mine that will have to be barred off," he said. "We're going to have to mitigate the mining issues before bringing people to the park."

Williams added that the entrances to the old mine now serve as home to hundreds of bats. He said a cage can be placed over the entrance that would allow the bats to move in and out freely while keeping hikers out of harm's way.

The county is also conducting an online survey to allow community members to voice their opinions. More than 200 people have participated in the survey, and Williams said the general consensus among participants is a desire for easier access to the site with minimal amount of improvements.

"People want to experience it, to use it, but they don't want us to level it," he said. "That fits in well with what we want to do."

Those interested can review the project's draft conceptual plan, vision and goals, as well as take the online survey, at clarkcountynv.gov.

Contact Southwest/Spring Valley View reporter Nolan Lister at nlister@viewnews.com or 383-0492.